Balto: The hero dog who rescued a whole town

Balto, the famed sled dog, weighed just 20 kilograms and was likely a mix of Siberian Husky, Malamute, and Wolf. He became a national hero during a critical time in January 1925 when Nome, Alaska, faced a diphtheria outbreak. The city was isolated by the Arctic winter, with dog sleds being the only means of transportation.

To deliver the life-saving serum from Fairbanks to Nome, a relay of sled dog teams was organized, covering a challenging 1,085 kilometers journey. Battling harsh conditions like minus 34 Celsius temperatures and strong winds, Balto played a crucial role.

In the final 89 kilometer stretch, with his driver almost frozen and blind, Balto led the way, arriving in Nome on February 2, 1925, with the serum. While in Los Angeles in February 1927, Cleveland businessman George Kimble discovered Balto and his team being exhibited in a “dime museum.” Dime museums were institutions that were popular at the end of the 19th century in the United States. Designed as centers for entertainment and moral education for the working class

Outraged by the animals’ poor condition and degradation, Kimble negotiated to purchase the dogs for $2,000. The dogs arrived in Cleveland on 19 March, greeted by a parade and a hero’s welcome. They were eventually housed at the Brookside Park Zoo.

Balto passed away on 14 March 1933, but his legacy lives on. His preserved body is on display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where it continues to inspire.

A bronze statue of Balto, crafted by sculptor Frederick Roth in 1925, stands proudly in New York’s Central Park, a testament to his enduring courage and the bond between humans and animals.